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– THE MESSENGERS Features the Power and Emotion of the Spoken Word –

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Contact: Jennifer Petro
Ink Foundry Public Relations
(323) 931-7600 X 204

(Silver Spring, Md.) – The power and force of the spoken word and the motivation it inspires form the essence of the new TLC series, THE MESSENGERS. This eight-part series kicks off with a 2-hour premiere on Sunday, July 23 at 10 PM (ET/PT). THE MESSENGERS showcases 10 speakers from a variety of perspectives and their ability to communicate the many complexities of some of life’s toughest lessons, addressing issues viewers face in their everyday lives and communities. In the end, THE MESSENGERS is built around a simple but lofty goal: to find America’s next great inspirational speaker.

"THE MESSENGERS is an innovative and uplifting series with challenging individual experiences that act as a catalyst for the celebration of inspirational public speaking in contemporary America. The participants really have to walk the walk before they can talk the talk," said David Abraham, executive vice president and general manager for TLC.

The foundation of each episode is a field trip designed to give the speakers a profound learning experience – the opportunity to live life by walking in someone else’s shoes. In the first episode, the participants face the harsh reality of homelessness by spending 24 hours on the streets of Skid Row and then deliver speeches based on the topic of charity. In subsequent episodes, field trips range from the participants living as a blind or wheelchair-bound individual for a day, to sharing in a powerful moment of forgiveness between a man convicted of vehicular homicide and the deceased’s mother. At the end of each field trip, the group is given their speaking topic – one simple word such as hope, perseverance or forgiveness to use as the basis for their speeches.

Over the next 24 hours, the speakers blend their in-field experiences with their own life lessons to create powerful speeches of motivation for a studio audience. After each speech is delivered, a panel comprising of public speaking experts Richard Greene and Bobby Schuller offers valuable commentary and criticism to the participants. Richard Greene, author of Words That Shook The World, is a speech advisor and public speaking analyst who gives the speakers constructive guidance on their delivery, technique and content development. Bobby Schuller, a pastor at the Crystal Cathedral in Southern California and grandson of Reverend Robert H. Schuller, focuses his guidance on the content and emotional connection the speakers make with the studio audience.

At the conclusion of each episode, one person is eliminated by the studio audience’s vote until one speaker is crowned “The Messenger” and awarded a publishing deal and the opportunity to host his or her own TLC television special.

THE MESSENGERS is produced by Original Productions with executive producers Thom Beers and Tom McMahon and series producer Deboriah Dupree. For TLC, Elizabeth Browde is executive producer and David Abraham is executive-in-charge of production and general manager.

TLC is the only television network dedicated to lifelong learning for viewers who want to grow up, not old. Featuring programming that explores life’s key transitions and turning points, TLC presents high-quality, relatable and authentic personal stories. TLC connects more than 94 million homes in North America to the human experience with life’s lessons you can’t learn from books. TLC is a property of Discovery Communications, Inc., the leading global real-world media and entertainment company. Discovery has grown from its core property, the Discovery Channel, first launched in the United States in 1985, to current global operations in more than 160 countries and territories with 1.3 billion cumulative subscribers. DCI’s over 90 networks of distinctive programming represent 25 network entertainment brands. DCI’s other properties consist of Discovery Education and Discovery Commerce, which operates 120 Discovery Channel Stores. DCI also distributes BBC America in the United States. DCI’s ownership consists of four shareholders: Discovery Holding Company (NASDAQ: DISCA, DISCB), Cox Communications, Inc., Advance/Newhouse Communications and John S. Hendricks, the Company’s Founder and Chairman.

To preview THE MESSENGERS, download high-resolution photography and access additional press resources, please visit TLC’s media website at www.press.discovery.com or THE MESSENGERS e-kit at www.press.discovery.com/ekits/themessengers

Interviews with the contestants and panelists are available upon request. In addition, review copies and sneak preview DVD’s are available upon request

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